The Little Black Book

It was about 6 am and I could feel the sun beating down on my thin blanket. I wanted to stay in bed but, I could hear my mother calling, “Sage this is the last time I’m going to call you down for breakfast!” I mustered the strength to drag myself out of bed. I headed straight to the bathroom to freshen up. I looked in the mirror and I had this weird feeling. For some reason, I knew today would be different than any other Sunday.

I reached the kitchen after some time and there my mom stood staring at me as if I had a chip on my shoulder. “Sage, honey, what’s wrong?” “Nothing mom, I just want coffee is all.” My mom Lena is great, she adopted me when I was 7. I try to help as much as I can, now that I’m 22. She gave me all she could after my biological father died leaving us in debt. Once done I decided to go out for a while.

I left the house with no set course in mind. I walked downtown past all the shops to see what was new in the windows. I had this weird feeling; where I feel anxious and at peace at the same time. I call this the “Quickening” It usually means that during the course of the day something strange will certainly occur. I got to my favorite hang-out spot and it was closed. I was devastated, as I thought to myself, Sage don’t go overreacting. It was a little bit of a disappointment but the day must go on.

I stopped by the park as usual and there was a kids’ party going on, that’s a no-go. The noise alone would make me nuts. I continued on my journey, well would you look at that, an internet cafe finally opened up. I was wondering what the big secret was. Everything was boarded up until today the grand opening of Lux’s Work and Sip. I glance into the window, it's nice, let's go exploring. I hesitated then pushed the door open, there were 4 tables open as I quickly decided which one to sit at without looking too socially awkward. I pulled out my trusty laptop while waiting for the server.

Shortly after hearing the door ding again, I looked around to see who had entered. Just then a tall male with gray eyes wearing a Izok t-shirt and denim blue jeans sat across from me. He pulled out his laptop and began to engulf himself in whatever was on his screen. I didn't know if he could see me staring at him through my gauky glasses. When the server reached him she was in awe as well. He was angelic almost, the long wavy hair and his manly stature secretly kept me peering in his direction.

About an hour later he began packing up all his things to leave, I felt like I should do the same after visiting the rest room first. When I came back he was gone, as I walked by his table that sat a little black book. I didn't know what to do, so I went against my better judgement and picked it up. I quickly packed up all my things and ran out the door. Not knowing what car or in what direction he exited, I started to think maybe I shouldn't have taken it. I started to panic with all these guilty thoughts. I put the book in my shoulder bag and headed to my house.

Once I reached my house, I made myself a sandwich and a hot tea. The server never came to me in the cafe so I was so famished. Once done I headed upstairs to my room. Lena went to the soup kitchen to help them set up for the dinner rush. She always gets home late. I pulled the little black book out and it called to me to peek inside. I know it's prying but I couldn't help myself. Curiosity has always been my downfall, yet I could not stop myself. I opened it and it said, "The contents of this book are for Joe only." A million thoughts suddenly started plaguing my mind. Could this be his name? Could he have also walked away with it?

Time passed and I had to look again, pacing a hole in my rug was not getting me anywhere. I turned to the second page and there were these weird lines and symbols, also some little notes on the side in another language I didn't recognize. I started to flip through all the pages quickly. I closed it abruptly. My mind started to play tricks on me at this point. I rolled off my bed and put the book in a compartment in my dresser. I sat on my bed and took a deep breath. I must figure out a way to decipher what this means. I just know deep down that this was meant for me. I lept off my bed and headed to the dresser, grabbed the book, and started flipping through the pages again. There has to be something I can start with. Time had passed as I went to each page.

A couple of hours later, my phone started to beep as I rolled over, it was dark out and I had no sense of time as I tried to adjust my eyes. I must have fallen asleep while looking stuff up. I turned on my room light and started searching for the book. It was put away in my dresser, a sigh of relief. I made myself some tea and toast and returned to my room. After eating I checked my history and saw something crazy. It stated,

"To the person, you know who you are, that has my possession, I will give you 20,000 to return it."

I was speechless, could it be me he's talking to? How did he know my email? What if he's FBI or CIA? I started to freak out! I gathered all I could find on this Jesse fellow. Wait a minute, who the hell is Joe? I replied you have the wrong person, sorry. I closed the top and tried to go back to sleep. I was trying not to worry. Somehow that never works out in my favor.

The next morning I woke up to the smell of fresh coffee and breakfast. I did my normal routine and tried to have a normal day like it never happened. I went to the park to take pictures. It seems to be going quite peaceful so far. The sun glistened off the lake, making it look amazing for my photo album. I was really enjoying myself for once, with no distractions.

I decided to stop at a restaurant along the way, trying new things. I walk in and the place is beautiful. The table cloths are marble grey and black. The chairs are tall and suede black with silver symbols on them. Hey, wait those are the symbols I saw in the book. I just stood there frozen. "Miss, can I help you?" "Hello, can I help you?" I snapped back into reality, "Um, yes, I'm here to eat." "Ok, right this way." "Will you be dining alone?" "Yes, I will be, thank you." Shelby led me to a table in the back with a man sitting at it. I look at her, she points to this little booth next to his table then walks away.

I realized I was now facing this guy with his head down on his laptop. He looked up and those eyes pierced right through me. It was him, Joe, or Jesse. My heart starts racing uncontrollably. Just then my phone beeped and I jumped. I thought to myself, smooth Sage. It is an email from the infamous Jesse that could be Joe. I opened it almost afraid to read it. "Come sit with me." I froze in my seat, terrified. Could he now be following me? "Miss, can I get you a drink and some bread?" "Thank you!" Saved by Shelby. "Yes please, I'll take a Sprite." "What would you like to eat?" "I will have the turkey special." "I will put that in for you." She walks away again.

I looked up and he was heading towards me. He slid into the seat quickly. "Hello Sage, how are you?" "How do you know my name?" "Look I just want my little black book back." I just stared at him, Shelby came back with my soda and bread. "Sir, will you be sitting here?" "Yes, can you bring my food here?" "Sure no problem." I needed to know so I asked, "What's your name since you know mine?" "Jesse." "Look Sage, I can get you the money in two days." "Why is the book so important to you?" Just then the food comes.

After the waitress left he began to tell me it was his father's journal. He also told me how his father cracked the code to infinite wealth. We talked for a while and he seemed nice, yet mysteriously handsome. I then agreed to give him the book after receiving the money. He smiled at me and said, "That's more than an equal exchange, right Sage Daniels." He then walked away to pay for dinner. I tried to catch up but, by the time I put on my coat and grab my things, he was gone.

Two days later I got an email to meet at some sort of dive bar. I started to become anxious about the whole ordeal. My mind thought up the wildest things at that moment. I needed some protection. I searched for Lena's other pepper spray. I also thought it would be wise to rent a car instead of walking. You know precaution in case he tries to kill me like in the movies.

I arrived at this place called "Gina's" I took a deep breath and walked in. I spotted him all the way in the back as I slowly walked through the place. It was dark back there. I sat down in front of him. He had a bag on his back, that he took off and put on the floor. He pushed the bag towards my feet. I picked it up and said, "Follow me." He followed me to the car I rented. He got in on the passenger side. "What are you doing?" "Why did you get in?" He looked at me puzzled. "Where's the book?" I opened the money and flipped through stacks of 100's before I pulled out the book. I zipped the bag back up. I handed the book over to him slowly. He grabbed it and said, "Have a good life, Sage Daniels!" He got out and slammed the door.

It's been weeks and I still can't believe I have all this money! I told Lena that I won on some tickets and a casino trip with a friend. I told her I won 20,000. She screamed and hugged me so tight. "This calls for a celebration!" We ordered out and stayed up all night watching sappy love stories. We hadn't had that much fun in a while. We both really needed a break.

6 months later Lena and I moved about 100 miles away. I was out getting to know my new surroundings. I happened to walk past an internet cafe and decided to go in. I glanced around, He's here, how? I walked over to his table and said, "Hello." He looked up at me and smiled. " Hello, Miss Daniels."

The End